Email This Event

From

To

Please separate multiple addresses with commas. We won't share addresses with third parties.

Message

Subscribe me to theAtlas Obscura Newsletter

Pasadena’s Orange Grove Boulevard has long been known as “Millionaire's Row” for the lavish mansions that once lined the street. Join us for an in-depth tour of two famous estates that are still standing, the Gamble House & the Fenyes Mansion, including exclusive access to secret doors and the maids' quarters, usually closed to the public.

Fenyes Mansion: This home has enjoyed a remarkable life, having served as the Finnish Consulate from 1948-1964, and prominently appearing in films such as Being There and The Prestige. It is most well known now as the home of the Pasadena Museum of History, which manages the home and estate grounds. We'll get exclusive access to the upstairs bedrooms and sitting room, as well as the "maids' room," which has just been completed and is not currently available to the public. There is even a small, but incredible Museum of Finnish Folk Art on the grounds that will be included in the tour.

The Gamble House: This beautiful Craftsman home is often referred to as “America’s Arts and Crafts masterpiece,” though many people now know it as Doc Brown’s home in the Back to the Future series of films. Designed in 1908 by architects Greene & Greene, the Gamble House is a stellar example of the craftsman style, which showcases Greene & Greene's signature style, fine attention to detail and superb craftsmanship.

The tour will include a full walkthrough of the home as well as the exclusive opportunity to see what’s behind some of the secret doors in the house. At the end of the tour, everyone will receive a colorful book highlighting the Arts & Crafts Architecture of the time. Afterward, everyone will be invited to explore the grounds at their own leisure, complete with outdoor patios, a garden, and a pond.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Street parking near the Fenyes Mansion.

Both houses/estates are very old, along with the furniture and art. Please act in a respectful and careful manner.